County school board commits money toward new high school

Published: Monday, October 7, 2013 at 10:38 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, October 7, 2013 at 10:38 p.m.

A financial step toward building a new high school in northern Davidson County was approved Monday by the Davidson County Board of Education.

Board members voted on a two-part resolution that creates a funding stream for the school that will be located at the intersection of Hoy Long Road and Midway School Road. The document comes from a building committee — two school board members and two Davidson County Commissioners — that was formed to review issues and begin the planning for the new school.

"This is a profound effort on behalf of the board of education to help build the high school to help alleviate severe overcrowding at both Ledford and North Davidson high schools This is a large school project," said Davidson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Fred Mock.

The first half of the resolution outlines that the school system will transfer $3 million from its local current expense fund balance within the next 30 days, which will be used toward the design and rough grading of the land. The system reported $20.2 million in its fund balance, according to the 2011-12 audit report.

The architectural and engineering design work could take 10 to 12 months, Mock said. He noted that during that process, input from faculty members, parents and community members will be sought as the design is developed. He noted it could take another year for the grading that's required to prepare for the construction of the school, as well as the athletic and parking facilities that will be on site too.

Also, the document requests that commissioners add $500,000 to go with the district's amount to give the system a total of $3.5 million. The commissioners will vote Tuesday evening at their meeting.

The second part commits the school system to putting $1.5 million toward the school during the next three years. The system will start to make three annual installments of $500,000 after the necessary rough grading on the school campus has been completed. That amount will also come from the system's local current expense fund balance.

The committee consists of school board vice chair, Jeannie Leonard, member Alan Beck, chair of the commissioners, Fred McClure and commissioner Larry Potts. The committee was created during early summer.

Potts attributed the swiftness of the negotiations and conversations to the "good working relationship" between both boards, which has made the process on all the previous schools that were built go remarkably well.

"We've been discussing the process, and it's gone very fast. We are looking at a proposal of an agreement between the school board and commissioners that will allow for the completion of some preliminary site work," he said.

The school will be located adjacent to the new Oak Grove Middle School and has been on the table for years. The project is the system's No. 1 capital request and has been included as a project in the county's Capital Improvement Plan. Initial talk has been for the school to cost $45 million, however that number can change due to the economy.

Beck said the meetings have been smooth because the commissioners see and understand the need for the school. He thanked them for working with the system.

"It all came out very good. I feel like we're farther ahead in the game than we thought we would be," he said. "It's exciting how far we've gone in a short period of time. It's still a long process. It's not something that's going to be done next year. It's the beginning."

In other news, the board:

• Recognized Josephine York as the 2013 Donna H. Black Communities of Schools of Lexington/Davidson County Mentor of the Year for Davidson County Schools. York is a mentor at Silver Valley Elementary School.

• Heard a security system request from Southmont Elementary School Principal Tammy Bush. Bush asked to install the system from 1st Defense Security Systems at a total cost of $21,352.12. The money comes from the school's Parent Teacher Organization. It was approved.

• Approved Carolina Courtworks, of Charlotte, to pave three tennis courts at Ledford High School at a cost of $55,650. The money comes from the school and district.

Reporter Nash Dunn contributed to this story.

Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.

<p>A financial step toward building a new high school in northern Davidson County was approved Monday by the Davidson County Board of Education.</p><p>Board members voted on a two-part resolution that creates a funding stream for the school that will be located at the intersection of Hoy Long Road and Midway School Road. The document comes from a building committee — two school board members and two Davidson County Commissioners — that was formed to review issues and begin the planning for the new school.</p><p>"This is a profound effort on behalf of the board of education to help build the high school to help alleviate severe overcrowding at both Ledford and North Davidson high schools This is a large school project," said Davidson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Fred Mock.</p><p>The first half of the resolution outlines that the school system will transfer $3 million from its local current expense fund balance within the next 30 days, which will be used toward the design and rough grading of the land. The system reported $20.2 million in its fund balance, according to the 2011-12 audit report. </p><p>The architectural and engineering design work could take 10 to 12 months, Mock said. He noted that during that process, input from faculty members, parents and community members will be sought as the design is developed. He noted it could take another year for the grading that's required to prepare for the construction of the school, as well as the athletic and parking facilities that will be on site too. </p><p>Also, the document requests that commissioners add $500,000 to go with the district's amount to give the system a total of $3.5 million. The commissioners will vote Tuesday evening at their meeting.</p><p>The second part commits the school system to putting $1.5 million toward the school during the next three years. The system will start to make three annual installments of $500,000 after the necessary rough grading on the school campus has been completed. That amount will also come from the system's local current expense fund balance. </p><p>The committee consists of school board vice chair, Jeannie Leonard, member Alan Beck, chair of the commissioners, Fred McClure and commissioner Larry Potts. The committee was created during early summer. </p><p>Potts attributed the swiftness of the negotiations and conversations to the "good working relationship" between both boards, which has made the process on all the previous schools that were built go remarkably well.</p><p>"We've been discussing the process, and it's gone very fast. We are looking at a proposal of an agreement between the school board and commissioners that will allow for the completion of some preliminary site work," he said.</p><p>The school will be located adjacent to the new Oak Grove Middle School and has been on the table for years. The project is the system's No. 1 capital request and has been included as a project in the county's Capital Improvement Plan. Initial talk has been for the school to cost $45 million, however that number can change due to the economy.</p><p>Beck said the meetings have been smooth because the commissioners see and understand the need for the school. He thanked them for working with the system.</p><p>"It all came out very good. I feel like we're farther ahead in the game than we thought we would be," he said. "It's exciting how far we've gone in a short period of time. It's still a long process. It's not something that's going to be done next year. It's the beginning."</p><p>In other news, the board: </p><p>• Recognized Josephine York as the 2013 Donna H. Black Communities of Schools of Lexington/Davidson County Mentor of the Year for Davidson County Schools. York is a mentor at Silver Valley Elementary School.</p><p>• Heard a security system request from Southmont Elementary School Principal Tammy Bush. Bush asked to install the system from 1st Defense Security Systems at a total cost of $21,352.12. The money comes from the school's Parent Teacher Organization. It was approved.</p><p>• Approved Carolina Courtworks, of Charlotte, to pave three tennis courts at Ledford High School at a cost of $55,650. The money comes from the school and district.</p><p>Reporter Nash Dunn contributed to this story.</p><p>Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.</p>